Metal Child Resistant Container

ABSTRACT

A metal child resistant container with a screw lid that comprises a main body, an inner cap that screws on to the main body forming an air tight seal, and an outer cap that is located over the inner cap. The outer cap prevents the user from directly interacting with the inner cap and requires the user to apply pressure to the outer cap. The inner cap has indentions that match with similar indentions stamped in or attached to the outer cap. When pressure is applied to the outer cap the inner cap and outer cap mover as one allowing the container to the open and closed.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a child resistant container with a screw lid.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

This invention relates to child resistant packaging. In particular, thisinvention relates to products that require metal containers such ascombustibles or flammable solvents like alcohols, toluene, and hexane.Chlorinated solvents are another type of liquid that is best suited formetal containers. Metal containers also protect the products held withinfrom UV degradation.

Some states have enacted laws requiring products that are susceptible todangerous misuse by children be sold by retailers in child resistantpackaging. Examples of such products include medicines, pills, gels, andother similar substances. Some child resistant packaging, such asone-time opening clamshell designs and blister packaging, cannot beresealed after the substance is accessed. Other child resistantpackaging products that are resealable, such as plastic pill bottles,cannot use modern preservation techniques to extend the shelf life ofthe contained substance. A metal child-resistant container is alsobetter suited than a plastic pill bottle for laser etched or engravedtracking information. In the case of etching or engraving on a malleablesubstance like plastic makes it easy for the tracking information to bescratched off or distorted in other ways that makes the trackinginformation indecipherable. Many consumers are also concerned about thestate of the environment and want products that can be recycled easily.Plastic pill bottles and other packaging are made of materials that arenot accepted at many recycling processing plants or have a limitedlifecycle. Another concern of consumers' is that plastics are known toleach chemicals into the products they come into contact with. Forthings such as medication this is a big concern for people withcompromised immune systems. This invention will be made of a recyclablemetal alloy that is accepted by virtually all recycling processors. Thepresent invention differs from current products on the market in that itcan be opened and closed multiple times without loss of function, iseasily recyclable, and can preserve the contents of the container betterthan similar products.

The present invention differs from most childproof packages on themarket in that it can be used to store a substance itself in addition topre-packaged product that may not come equipped with a childproofingdevice while being all metal and 100% recyclable as it uses no adhesivesof any sort.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The objective of this invention is to produce a child resistant metalcontainer that can be resealed, recycled, and is capable of usingpreservation techniques to store the contained substance longer thanother containers. The container is made of a recyclable metal and uses atwist or screw off mechanism that generates an air tight seal. There arethree to four pieces; a container lid, a container body, a locking diskand a locking cap.

The container body is a metal cylinder tube with a solid, closed “base”and an open “top” opposite of the base. This is where the containedproduct rests. A main body, which holds the product. A recessed lip ismanufactured into the open top of the container body. This recessed liphas screw threads manufactured into the side walls that compliment andaccommodate matching threads manufactured into the locking cap.

The locking cap is a metal cylindrical tube piece with an “open” end atthe base and a “closed” portion at the top. The locking cap ismanufactured to a dimension that fits snuggly on the recessed lip of thecontainer body and under the locking plate and container lid.Manufactured into the side walls of the locking cap are screw threadsthat compliment and accommodate those found on the recessed lip of thecontainer body. Manufactured into the superior exterior surface plane ofthe locking cap “closed” top piece is a series of depressions thatcompliment and accommodate a matching set of depressions manufacturedinto the superior plane of the locking plate.

The locking plate is a cylindrical plate that fits between the lockingcap and the container lid. Depressions identical in size and dimensionto those on the locking cap are manufactured into the surface of theplate.

When opposing pressure is applied to the container cap against thecontainer body and the depressions of the locking plate and locking capare aligned, the container lid and locking cap depress slightly in therecessed lip. The user can then twist the container cap or body, causingthe angled screw threads to catch and separate the lid from the body.Without this pressure, the container lid is designed to spin about theinner locking cap without opening, enhancing this product's child safetyfeatures.

In alternative embodiments it is possible to create the same multi-piecelid design while the body of the container can be bowl shaped instead ofcylindrical. This bowl-shaped body allows for more efficient packagingfor shipping and storage. The bowl design is nest-able. In alternativeembodiments is possible to create the same multi-piece lid design whilethe body of the container can be made of spiral wound tubing with ametal bottom cap and threaded metal top of the body. In alternativeembodiments it is possible to create the same multi-piece lid designwhile the body of the container can be a 3 piece metal body consistingof rolled tube, bottom cap, and top cap with threading. In alternativeembodiments it is possible to create the same multi-piece lid designwhile the body of the container can be glass.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an external view of the container body and container lidin the closed configuration.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict the container body. FIG. 2A depicts a side view,revealing the inward recessed lip and the screw thread. FIG. 2B depictsa single angled thread that extends over the entire circumference of thecontainer.

FIG. 3 depicts the inner cap and an embodiment of the depressions on theinner cap that the outer cat or center plate fits into.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross section of a preferred embodiment of theindentations on the inner cap and center plate.

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict a top down view of alternative embodiments of thecenter plate.

FIG. 6 depicts the container cap that with a smooth top, that wouldrequire the application of the center plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This application relates to a child resistant container. The containerrequires the user to apply opposing pressure to the top and bottom ofthe device to engage embossed features located on the outer and innercap to lock. Once engaged, the user twists and places complimentaryangled screw threads engineered into the interior walls of the inner cap05 and exterior walls of the container body into contact with eachother. Once in contact, the user twists engaging the screw threads andunscrewing the container lip from the container body. When closed, thecontainer is air tight, allowing the container to safety store itscontents for extended periods of time. Further, due to the air tightnature the gas inside the container when its contents are packaged maybe altered to have a less reactive gas inside to prevent decay. A highbarrier sealing or lidding film can also be affixed on the top of thebody of the container to maintain the specific atmosphere even after thelid is removed. This allows for the contents of the container to bevisually inspected without disturbing the specific atmosphere of thecontainer. Once this sealing or lidding film is removed the specificatmosphere of the container is no longer contained.

The container is made completely out of metal. The metals may includesteel, tin, copper, aluminum or alloys thereof. Metal containersprevents BPA leaching, and chemical leaching into the stored product.Another advantage metal has over plastic is that track and traceinformation can be laser etched onto the container and not be easily beremoved. Metal containers have the further advantage over plastic ofbeing more recyclable in comparison.

FIG. 1 depicts the preferred embodiment of the claimed invention. Thechild resistant container in FIG. 1 show the container body 01 on thebottom and the outer cap 02 resting on top of it. The area where theouter cap 02 and the container body 01 meet has a seamless edge. In thisdepiction the outer cap 02 has a smooth top. This embodiment will have acenter plate 10 that is attached to the inside of the outer cap 02 orplaced between 02 and 05. In order to open the user must press on themain body 01 and the outer plate 02 together while applying horizontalrotational force to unscrew the caps from the main body 01.

A preferred embodiment of the container has a height between 25 mm and200 mm and a diameter of between 60 mm and 120 mm in the closedconfiguration. However, these dimensions may vary in variousembodiments.

FIG. 2A depicts the container body 01. The container body 01 iscomprised out of aluminum, however other metals may be used includingsteel, tin, copper, aluminum or alloys thereof. Other materialcombinations included tin plated steel, or copper plated steel. Thecontainer body 01 is cup-shaped with a recessed neck 03 at the topportion where it will meet the outer cap 02 and a threaded portionextending further upward where the container body will contact the innercap 05. The thread on the container body 04 is a one half orthree-quarter, or one full turn, or double turn. However, the thread 04is not to be greater than two full turns, in order to prevent slippingof the threads on the inner cap 05 with the thread on the outer cap 02when the user applies pressure to the outer cap 02 and container body01. Due to the nature of the locking mechanism there are limits to howmuch force can be applied to unscrew the inner cap 05 from the outercap, and therefore it is important to avoid the product becoming jammed.To this end there is only a single thread present and it will not have athread engineered to result in more than one turn or two turns.

The main body in one preferred embodiment has a diameter of 68 mm and aheight of the body before the inward rolled edge is 30.72 mm. Thesection with the threads is smaller has a diameter of 61.67 mm. However,the inward rolled edge will vary on the diameter of the container.

In alternative embodiments a lidding film or sealing film may be usedover the opening of the main body 01 in order to create an air tightseal. The lidding film or sealing film is applied during packaging ofthe product, and may be combined with the use of an inert gas forstorage of the product stored in the main body.

FIG. 2B is another view of the main body 01 that better depicts theinward rolled edge 07 and recessed lip 03 and the thread 04 sections ofthe main body 01. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B the threadedsection goes 360 degrees around the top of the container body but doesnot overlap. The recessed lip 03 depicted allows the inner cap and theouter cap to be in place while creating a seamless edge on the outsideof the container. The inward rolled edge 07 wraps around the top of theopening to the main body 01. When a lidding film or induction film is tobe applied the inward rolled edge 07 form a flat surface at least 2 mmthick for the lidding film or induction film to bond.

FIG. 3 depicts the inner cap 05. The inner cap 05 also has one or moreindentations 06 on its top surface. These indentions 06 matchindentations that are present on either the center locking plate 10 orthe outer cap 02 and are the point of where the pressure from the useris converted into friction allowing the container to be opened. Thepattern of the indention may vary from embodiment to embodiment. Thepreferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 3 is a cross formation that iseither four rectangular sections forming a cross, or a continuous crossshape in the middle of the top of the inner cap.

Alternatively, the indentation may be any shape that allows there to bean edge in the clockwise direction and counter clockwise direction. Fourrectangular indentations 06, or one cross indention 11 are preferred,other combinations may include two indentations, a single linearindentation, a curved indentation, or multiple indentions, of two,three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or more equally, or unequallyspaced indentations with a clockwise edge or counter clockwise edge.More indentations will be used in larger containers, and lessindentations will be used in smaller containers. In embodiments with adiameter below 70 mm no more than four indentations should be used. Inorder to prevent ripping of the material in manufacturing theindentation will need to be thick between 4.5 mm and 6 mm thick. Theinner cap 05 has threads 04 that correspond to the threads on the mainbody 01, allowing the inner cap to unscrew off of the main body. Thisoccurs when the user applies pressure to the outer cap onto the innercap and turning the inner cap relative to the outer cap.

The inner cap 05 is held inside of the outer cap 02 by an inward rollededge on the outer cap (not shown). Similar to the inward rolled edge onthe main body 07 the inward rolled edge is at the end of the open end ofthe cap and causes the material on the outer cap to be formed inwardcreating a ledge. On the outer cap 02 the ledge holds the inner cap 05inside of 02 and prevents the inner cap from sliding out of the outercap, while allowing the inner cap 05 to float, and rotate inside of theouter cap 02. The inward rolled edge must be large enough to hold theinner cap 05 in place inside of the outer cap 02.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross section of the indentation on the inner cap 05and on the center plate 10 or outer cap 02. Two different angles areused on each edge, in order to resolve the issue of overtightening, thecontainer and making it difficult to open. The two different angles: theworking edge 09 and the open edge 08, the working edge 09 is the edgethat is in the counter clockwise direction of the indentations andprovides the force during the closing of the container. The open edge 08is the edge that is on the clockwise direction of the indentations 06that provides the force that opens the container so long as opposingpressure is applied to 02. The preferred embodiment the working edge 09is 75 degrees, or the range or 70 to 80 degrees from the horizontal asto allow the cap to close, but not enough to over tighten and makeopening to difficult. The angle allows the mechanism to disengage whenit is sealed tight. When the mechanism is sealed tight the mechanismwill skip, preventing overtightening. The open edge 08 is 60 degreesfrom the horizontal which decreases the amount of twist force to beexerted compensating for the closing motion while still requiring apush-down and twist motion to open the container. The range of 40 to 60degrees from the horizontal may be used for the open edge. This allowsthe mechanism to operate with enough difficulty to achieve the childresistant requirements but not so difficult that adults are unable toreliably open the device.

In preferred embodiments the indentations have a depth of 0.85 mm with awidth of 5.27 mm and a length of 16.62 mm. FIG. 5A depicts the centerplate 10, which is located between the inner cap 05 and the outer cap02. Depending on the specific embodiment, the center plate 10 may beattached to the inner cap 05 or the outer cap 02 through an adhesive orother bonding measure. In the preferred embodiment, the center plate 10is placed in between the outer cap 02 and the inner cap 05 withoutadhesive or another bonding agent. The center plate 10 has indentations11 that match and fit into the indentations 06 on the inner cap 05. Whenpressed together, the center plate 10 and inner cap cap's 05indentations fit into each other and allow the locking plate, inner cap,and outer cap to be unscrewed and separated from the container body. Theindentation 11 in FIG. 5A is a single indention that is cross shaped.There is a clear working edge 12 which is clearly defined and open edge13 on the clockwise side of the indention is less clear as a result ofthe steeper angle.

The center locking plate 10 is used in embodiments where theindentations are not manufactured into the outer cap 02. In the casethat the outer cap 02 requires a smoother top surface, the inner plate05 is affixed to the inside of the outer cap 02, so the outer cap isused to press down onto the inner cap 05 allowing the outer cap 02 toturn as one.

FIG. 5B is an alternative embodiment of the center plate 10 with 4separate indentations 11, arranged similarly to the cross embodiment,however the center is not stamped.

In a preferred embodiment the diameter of the center plate 10 is 66 mm.There are 4 indentations extending from the center outward in a crosspattern. The indentations are each 4.79 mm in width and 15.82 mm inlength allowing them to fit inside of the indentation on the inner cap.FIG. 6 depicts the outer cap 02. The outer cap 02 rests over the innercap 05 and locking plate 10 and it meets the container body 01 at thestart of the recessed lip 03, forming a seamless edge. The outer cap 02has an inward rolled edge on the edge of its open end (not shown) whichcreates a channel that hold the inner cap 05. The inner cap 05 fits inthe channel such that it cannot exit the channels, however it is able tofloat inside of the channel, and freely rotate. The fit of the outer cap02 on the inner cap 05 is loose enough that turning the outer cap 02will not turn the inner cap 05 against the resistance of the containerbody 01. When the outer cap 02 is pushed down by the user, it locks withthe inner cap 05 through the indentations 06 on the inner cap 05 lockingplate 10 and allows the outer cap 02 to be separated from the containerbody 01 and either the center plate 10 or indentation on the outer cap02.

The indentations themselves vary in size from embodiment to embodimentand the size of the of the indentations vary depending on the number ofindentations and size of the container.

In alternative embodiments the outer cap 02 will be stamped with theindentations instead of using a center plate 05. Such a design wouldconsist of three pieces, allowing the outer cap 02 to directly interactwith the inner cap 05. In this embodiment, the indentations 06 aremanufactured into the outer cap 02 interact with the indentations on theinner cap 05. The same angles would be used in the case where the outercap 02 does not have indentations.

In alternative embodiments when the outer cap does not require a smoothsuperior exterior surface plane, the center plate 10 (with the embossingwhich matches the locking cap) can be removed from the design. Replacedby the embossing manufactured into the superior exterior surface planeof the outer cap 02 which matches the locking cap. This makes the lid a2-piece lid whereas the design with the center plate is a 3-piece lid.

In various embodiments the locking, mechanisms taught above can beapplied to various forms of containers. In such embodiments the mainbody will change in design, and the inner cap 05, outer cap 02, andlocking plate will remain largely the same, only changing in size tomatch the change the dimensions of the new container body.

Alternative embodiments may include a bowl design, that replaces the cupdesign of the main body. By using a bowl shape instead of a cup shapemore efficient packaging and storage is possible, because bowls arenest-able.

Alternative embodiments include the use of the same multi lid designwith a spiral wound tubing with a bottom cap. The spiral wound tubingmay be paper tubes, paper cores, cardboard tubes, chip board tubes, orplastic tubes. The bottom cap may be metal, or plastic.

Alternatively, it is possible to create the same multi-piece lid designwhile the body of the container can be a 3-piece metal body comprisingof rolled seamed tube, bottom cap, and top cap with threading.

Alternative embodiments may include a viewing window, in the outer cap02, inner cap 05, center plate 10, main body 01 or combination thereof,to allow the product stored inside to the viewed without opening thecontainer.

Additional alternative embodiments allow for there to be a hermeticallysealed main container. The three pieces, or two-piece lid design is thenused over the hermetically sealed main body. When the customer opens thelid and seal the customer is then able to reseal the container in an airtight seal.

Various alterations and modifications may be made to the presentinvention without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, although particular embodiments refer to the shape of theindentations in the various drawings, this is in no way intended to belimiting as, in use, the present invention may be implemented usingdifferent configuration which are used for various products.

What is claimed:
 1. A child resistant container comprising: a containerbody; wherein the container body is a container with a closed base andan open top; the open top has a recessed lip leading to a pinched neckthat is threaded; an inner cap, wherein the inner cap contains threadsto screw the inner cap to the container body, and indentations stampedinto the inner cap; an outer cap, wherein the outer cap rests over theinner cap and has indentation or protrusions' stamped into or attachedto the outer cap that can fit in the indentations on the inner cap;wherein when pressure is applied to the outer cap and container body theindentations on the inner cap and outer cap provide enough friction toallow the outer cap and inner cap to move as one and screw the inner caponto or off of the container body.
 2. The child resistant container ofclaim 1 where the indentations consist of as two indentations, a singlelinear indentation, a curved indentation, or multiple indentions, oftwo, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or more equally, or unequallyspaced indentations.
 3. The child resistant container of claim 1,wherein the container body and outer cap form a seamless edge.
 4. Thechild resistant container of claim 1, wherein the pinched neck on thecontainer body has a single thread that travel one rotation around thepinched neck.
 5. The child resistant container of claim 1, furthercomprising a viewing window.
 6. The child resistant container of claim1, wherein the container body is cup shaped or bowl shaped.
 7. The childresistant container of claim 1, wherein the indentations have a workingedge, and an open edge, the working edge is 70-80 degrees from thehorizontal and the open edge is 40-60 degrees from the horizontal.
 8. Achild resistant container comprising: a container body; wherein thecontainer body is a container with a closed base and an open top; theopen top has a recessed lip leading to a pinched neck that is threaded;an inner cap, wherein the inner cap contains threads to screw the innercap to the container body, and indentations stamped into the inner cap;an outer cap, wherein the outer cap rests over the inner cap; a lockingplate, wherein the locking plate has indentations that match theindentions in the inner cap; wherein the locking plate is connected tothe outer cap; and wherein when pressure is applied to the outer cap andcontainer body the indentations on the inner cap and locking plateprovide enough friction to allow the outer cap and inner cap to move asone and screw the inner cap onto or off of the container body.
 9. Thechild resistant container of claim 8, where the indentations consist ofas two indentations, a single linear indentation, a curved indentation,or multiple indentions, of two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, ormore equally, or unequally spaced indentations.
 10. The child resistantcontainer of claim 8, wherein the container body and outer cap form aseamless edge.
 11. The child resistant container of claim 8, wherein thepinched neck on the container body has a single thread that travel onerotation around the pinched neck.
 12. The child resistant container ofclaim 8, wherein the container body, inner cap, locking plate and outercap are made from a list of metals consisting of aluminum, steel, tin,copper, or alloys thereof.
 13. The child resistant container of claim 8,wherein the indention is four individual indentions in a cross shapeacross the inner cap.
 14. The child resistant container of claim 8,wherein the indentations have a working edge, and an open edge, theworking edge is 70-80 degrees from the horizontal and the open edge is40-60 degrees from the horizontal.
 15. A child resistant containercomprising: a container body; wherein the container body is a containerwith a closed base and an open top; the open top has a recessed lipleading to a pinched neck that is threaded; an inner cap, wherein theinner cap contains threads to screw the inner cap to the container body,indentations stamped into the inner cap; an outer cap, wherein the outercap has an inward rolled edge that rests that hold the inner cap lockingwhile allowing the inner cap to float and rotate freely; and a lockingplate, wherein the locking plate has indentations that match theindentions in the inner cap; wherein the locking plate is connected tothe outer cap; and wherein when pressure is applied to the outer cap andcontainer body the indentations on the inner cap and outer cap provideenough friction to allow the outer cap and inner cap to move as one andscrew the inner cap onto or off of the container body.
 16. The childresistant container of claim 15, wherein the indentations have a workingedge, and an open edge, the working edge is 70-80 degrees from thehorizontal and the open edge is 40-60 degrees from the horizontal. 17.The child resistant container of claim 15, wherein the pinched neck onthe container body has a single thread that travel one rotation aroundthe pinched neck.
 18. The child resistant container of claim 15, whereinthe container body is a 3-piece metal body comprising of rolled tube,bottom cap, and top cap with threading.
 19. The child resistantcontainer of claim 15, wherein the indention is four individualindentions in a cross shape across the inner cap.
 20. The childresistant container of claim 15 where the indentations consist of as twoindentations, a single linear indentation, a curved indentation, ormultiple indentions, of two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, ormore equally, or unequally spaced indentations.